Talks between Air Malta and ALPA at standstill

● ‘Wehave been given deadlines before’

Talks over the new collective agreements between Air Malta and the Airline Pilots’ Association (ALPA) have reached a standstill, sources close to the union have told The Malta Independent.

Last Thursday, Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi had told the newsroom that talks with this union were well underway and he believed that “common sense will prevail.”

Mizzi reiterated that the company had to have the collective agreements by the end of December in order to remain solvent and continue on a revenue-based approach.

However, sources remain suspect to the claims made, insisting that they’ve “been given plenty of deadlines before, especially over the last two years; the company was supposedly meant to shut down if they did not find a strategic partner.”

The stumbling block appears to be over the union’s belief that the proposed wage package does not reflect the change in conditions, and was a pay-cut even though it appeared to offer an increase.

“Would you think it was pay rise if you worked for 10 hours for €100, and then you’re asked to work for 12 hrs for €100 and one cent?”

Speaking at a media briefing concerning the collective agreements on 20 September, Mizzi said that employees will be provided with a total 19% wage increase that would be spread over five years (1.5%, 5%,1.5%, 5%,1.5%).

The rise would see Air Malta’s payroll costs be €16 million, and in order to fund it, revenue would need to increase by €100 million.

Pilots and cabin crew in particular would be subject to working increased and more flexible hours.

A number of Air Malta flights have been delayed by roughly half an hour after the Union of Cabin Crew (UCC) informed Air Malta last night that it had ordered its members to start industrial action, an Air Malta spokesman has confirmed.

Yesterday, the Union of Cabin Crew (UCC) ordered industrial action which delayed a number of Air Malta flights had been delayed by roughly half an hour.

Speaking on Sunday, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said that nothing and no one would stand in the way of the airline.

Cabin Crew, for example, would see a reduction from five to four staff on every flight; while pilots would be expected to fly for 12hr shifts rather than 10.

Air Malta Chairman Charles Mangion and Mizzi have both spoken of a drive to engage individual pilots to go to Air Malta’s offices to see how their remuneration will be improved over the coming years.

So far, only a hiving agreement with the GWU has been reached, which saw ground handling operations moved to a separate company wholly owned by the government.

The sections affected are the Ground Handling Service Operations Section, the Ground Equipment Maintenance Section, and the Cargo Operations section. The new company will provide services to Air Malta and other airlines.

The airline’s renewed focus on revenue has already begun to yield a significant improvement, Mizzi explained, with September experiencing a 15% increase when compared with the previous year.

“The ‘Go-Light’ product is also on its way to becoming a success, after 90,000 ‘Go-Light’ tickets were purchased within a week and a half.”